Provo UT vs St. Louis MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Provo
1.1%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 36.6 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.6% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 45.7% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 5.1% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Provo, UT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $55,279 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $58,527 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 40.2% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Provo, UT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Provo, UT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 501 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2418 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Provo, UT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 36.8% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.2% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.9% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 16.8% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.0 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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